Guptill wins the semi-final with a mighty throw
Tell me how India would prefer to play New Zealand in the semi-finals again?Absolutely no one gave the Kiwis a chance, but Kane Williamson believed. Even when they posted a below-par 239. Even when Jadeja looked like he would play the game of his life to take India over the line. He had an answer for everything today.
Jadeja wreaked havoc for them in the morning by running out Ross Taylor and taking an overhead catch but they did enough to get to 239. It looked a low total, but quickly turned into a mountain for India. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul fell inside four overs, and suddenly DK and Pant found themselves with a rebuild job.
They did that for a while before the former perished, courtesy a brilliant one-handed low catch from Jimmy Neesham. Pant was then joined by Pandya, and the two youngsters showed why Indian cricket's future is in good hands. They curbed their natural game to take it deep but a rush of blood consumed both of them.
Both went for a slog sweep of an in-form Mitchell Santner, and were beaten in flight and line. MS and Jadeja then joined hands but the game looked to be out of reach, considering MS' recent patchiness and Jadeja's inconsistency. But the two showed just why they have been a successful partnership for so long.
MS prodded and tucked, while Jadeja launched a counter-attack. Whenever he wanted to go overboard with it, MS had a chat with him to calm him down, and it worked. For a long time. Jadeja scored his first ODI fifty in five years, and the game looked to be in the bag.
That's when Williamson brought out his trump card. Trent Boult took Jadeja out with a slower ball, and then Guptill made the most important contribution in this World Cup, picking up and hitting bulls eye to catch MS short in yet another knockout game. It is probably the last we will see of him in India colours, and it is such an irony that he has to be dismissed run-out in that.
This has been a thriller, but do not forget to join us tomorrow as England take on Australia. There is really nothing to choose between the two, so let's see how that pans out. Goodbye!
Ind 221 (49.3 overs)
Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in.
49.1 Neesham to Chahal, FOUR, full ball down leg, Yuzi actually glances it past short fine leg
49.2 Neesham to Chahal, DOT, edged and falls short of the keeper
49.3 Neesham to Chahal, OUT, swings wildly like a no.10, catches the edge and this time it carries. Yuzi has taken the DRS as well, just to delay it a little. The ultra-edge confirms it, and that's that
Chahal c Latham b Neesham 5(5)
Ind 217/9 (49 overs)
Yuzvendra Chahal is in at no.10
48.6 Ferguson to Bhuvneshwar, OUT, and India sink further. Slow ball, off cutter in fact, turned in off the pitch like a spinner and was too good for Bhuvi
Bhuvneshwar b Ferguson 0(1)
Ind 216/8 (48.3 overs)
Bhuvi in at no.9. Ferguson to bowl out, can MS do it for India?
48.1 Ferguson to Dhoni, SIX, starts with a big one! Short and wide, MS cuts hard, very hard in the air, and it is just over a leaping deep point. What a shot!
48.2 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT, full now, and dug out back to Lockie
48.3 Ferguson to Dhoni, OUT, 1 run, is that the World Cup done for India? And MS is gone! Short ball, he somehow fended it off to square leg, he had to come back for the second, Guptill swoops in and scores a direct hit to catch him short in a second successive semi-final. He got 50 with the first run, but that does not matter now does it?
Dhoni run-out (Guptill) 50(72)
Ind 208/7 (47.5 overs)
Boult will bowl out now.
47.1 Boult to Dhoni, 2 runs, short and pulled very well to deep mid wicket, the fielder does very well to save two
47.2 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run, full and wide of off, played to extra cover for one
47.3 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run, brilliant leg stump yorker, dug out to mid on
47.4 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run, length on the pads, turned to square leg
47.5 Boult to Jadeja, OUT, that's what Williamson wanted from his gun bowler! Jaddu goes for the big hit, it is the slower ball, he is late on it, gets a top edge and the skipper himself takes a good, high catch
Jadeja c Williamson b Boult 77(59)
Ind 203/6 (47 overs)
Henry will bowl his last over.
46.1 Henry to Dhoni, 1 run, length ball outside off, softly played to point
46.2 Henry to Jadeja, DOT, length ball wide of off, Jaddu had backed away and so missed the cut
46.3 Henry to Jadeja, 1 run, slower short ball outside off, played to backward point. 200 up!
46.4 Henry to Dhoni, 1 run, length ball dug into the pitch, turned to square leg
46.5 Henry to Jadeja, 1 run, slower ball wide of off, cut straight to short third man
46.6 Henry to Dhoni, 1 run.
Ind 198/6 (46 overs)
Trent Boult is back.
45.1 Boult to Jadeja, 2 runs, starts off short and is pulled to wide long on
45.2 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run, low full toss, and he flicks well to deep mid wicket
45.3 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run, full ball angled across, he drives to cover and sets off immediately. 100 run partnership, what a brilliant counter-attack!
45.4 Boult to Jadeja, FOUR, outside edge but there is no slip understandably, the pace was taken off and that ran away to the third man ropes
45.5 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run, slow short ball, Jaddu had to wait ages before pulling to deep backward square
45.6 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run.
Ind 188/6 (45 overs)
44.1 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT, great yorker on off, dug out to short cover
44.2 Ferguson to Dhoni, 2 runs, full wide of off, MS brings out the fast hands to drive to deep extra cover
44.3 Ferguson to Dhoni, 1 run, back of a length now, punched to cover for one
44.4 Ferguson to Jadeja, SIX, wow! Gets a nice half volley, he backs away and lofts this sweetly over long off. Terrific shot!
44.5 Ferguson to Jadeja, 1 run, low full toss now and flicked to deep mid wicket
44.6 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 178/6 (44 overs)
43.1 Neesham to Jadeja, 2 runs, full on leg stump, driven to wide long on for two
43.2 Neesham to Jadeja, DOT, slower short ball and the pull just short of short fine leg! Ross Taylor did not pick it up or else would have taken it easily
43.3 Neesham to Jadeja, DOT, length ball now, steered straight to short third man
43.4 Neesham to Jadeja, 2 runs, another one falls short! Jaddu gets it off the toe end, long on runs in but just cannot get to it
43.5 Neesham to Jadeja, 1 run, slow short ball, this time he rolls the wrists on the pull to deep square leg
43.6 Neesham to Dhoni, WIDE, full toss just past the tramline
43.6 Neesham to Dhoni, 1 run.
Ind 168/6 (42 overs)
Jimmy Neesham is back again, and India have to target him.
41.1 Neesham to Dhoni, DOT.
41.2 Neesham to Dhoni, DOT, takes the pace off, makes MS miss the drive
41.3 Neesham to Dhoni, 1 run, shuffles across and turns to square leg
41.4 Neesham to Jadeja, FOUR, short and he pulls on the front foot, and mid wicket lets it go through him. He is on 49 now!
41.5 Neesham to Jadeja, 2 runs, 50 for Jaddu and what a tremendous innings it is. Flicks this to deep mid wicket, the crowd and dressing room give him a standing ovation
41.6 Neesham to Jadeja, WIDE, too far down leg. Pressure telling on Jimmy
41.6 Neesham to Jadeja, 1 run.
Ind 159/6 (41 overs)
We are into the final powerplay and India need 90 runs. Very much gettable but the Kiwis need just one wicket to derail it.
40.1 Santner to Dhoni, DOT.
40.2 Santner to Dhoni, 2 leg byes, comes down and flicks off the pad to fine leg, runs well for two, but is that a surprise?
40.3 Santner to Dhoni, 1 run, gets an inside edge now to fine leg
40.4 Santner to Jadeja, DOT, darts it in quick, and is turned to mid wicket
40.5 Santner to Jadeja, SIX, oh Jaddu! Dances down again, and this time clobbers it over deep mid wicket. He is playing very sensibly
40.6 Santner to Jadeja, DOT.
Ind 150/6 (40 overs)
Ferguson is back for a third spell
39.1 Ferguson to Jadeja, FOUR, short ball down leg, he looks to pull, gets it off the glove past the keeper. 50 partnership up!
39.2 Ferguson to Jadeja, DOT, short and pulled to short mid wicket
39.3 Ferguson to Jadeja, DOT, full and driven to mid on
39.4 Ferguson to Jadeja, 1 run, gets a full toss and plays to deep mid wicket
39.5 Ferguson to Dhoni, 1 run, trust MS to be smart. He knows Jaddu is on the attack, so turns this softly to deep square leg
39.6 Ferguson to Jadeja, WIDE, down leg even after Jaddu had backed away a bit
39.6 Ferguson to Jadeja, 2 runs.
Ind 141/6 (39 overs)
38.1 Santner to Jadeja, DOT, turned to short fine leg
38.2 Santner to Jadeja, WIDE, down leg comfortably
38.2 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run, comes forward and wrists it to square leg
38.3 Santner to Dhoni, 1 run, goes back on seeing the length, and turns it to mid wicket
38.4 Santner to Jadeja, SIX, flat hit! Dances down, converts it to a half-volley and tonks it over long on
38.5 Santner to Jadeja, DOT, dances in his crease now, defends to mid wicket
38.6 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run.
Ind 131/6 (38 overs)
37.1 Henry to Jadeja, DOT, short ball cramping him for room, cut to backward point
37.2 Henry to Jadeja, FOUR, good shot! Length ball with not much pace on it, Jaddu pulls on the front foot, and gets it one bounce to the deep mid wicket fence
37.3 Henry to Jadeja, DOT, length again, pushed to short cover
That boundary got the crowd going again
37.4 Henry to Jadeja, DOT, short ball bowled slow, he misses the pull shot, was beaten by pace, or the lack of it
37.5 Henry to Jadeja, DOT, short and not too wide, he misses the cut now
MS had a word with Jaddu there, maybe wants him to calm down a bit, not attack every ball
37.6 Henry to Jadeja, 1 run.
Ind 126/6 (37 overs)
36.1 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run, turned to mid wicket for one
36.2 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, darted in on middle, defended
36.3 Santner to Dhoni, 1 run, comes down and turns the quick ball to square leg
36.4 Santner to Jadeja, DOT, full and glanced to short fine leg
36.5 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run, this time turned away easily to deep backward square
36.6 Santner to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 119/6 (35 overs)
Mitch Santner is back again.
34.1 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run, full and flicked to deep square leg, Jaddu wanted the second but MS always has the better judgment
34.2 Santner to Dhoni, 1 run, short and wide, cut to deep point
34.3 Santner to Jadeja, DOT, appeal from the keeper, late one from the bowler, but it hit bat before going on to pad
34.4 Santner to Jadeja, 2 runs, full and turned away to backward square leg, good call to make it in for two
34.5 Santner to Jadeja, 1 run, full again, and flicked to square leg
34.6 Santner to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 114/6 (34 overs)
33.1 Boult to Jadeja, WIDE, down leg it is sent
33.1 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run, opens the face late to guide it to third man
33.2 Boult to Dhoni, DOT, low full toss outside off, MS drives to short cover, missed out there
33.3 Boult to Dhoni, FOUR, soft shot but mighty effective! Gets a low full toss again, he times the drive very sweetly and it runs away past mid off
33.4 Boult to Dhoni, DOT, length ball angled across, defended on the back foot
33.5 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run, short and wide, punched to deep extra cover
33.6 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run.
Ind 106/6 (33 overs)
Jimmy Neesham is back again.
32.1 Neesham to Jadeja, DOT, angles it across on off, driven to mid on
32.2 Neesham to Jadeja, DOT, pushes this to short cover
32.3 Neesham to Jadeja, SIX, Jaddu will not hold back! Advances down the track, and hammers the half volley well over long on
32.4 Neesham to Jadeja, 1 run, short and wide, steers the cut to wide third man
32.5 Neesham to Dhoni, DOT, full and wide of off, driven to cover
32.6 Neesham to Dhoni, 2 runs.
Ind 97/6 (32 overs)
Ravindra Jadeja is the man in at no.8. You have to think that Dhoni is India's last hope because Jaddu and the others to follow are not really known much for their batting. They'll do good to hang around with MS as he builds an innings. Trent Boult is back now.
31.1 Boult to Dhoni, DOT, starts off short and MS misses the pull
31.2 Boult to Dhoni, WIDE, angled across, maybe a harsh call to wide it
31.2 Boult to Dhoni, DOT, length ball outside off, driven to cover
31.3 Boult to Dhoni, 1 run, short and wide, cut in front of point
31.4 Boult to Jadeja, DOT, full outside off, defended to point
31.5 Boult to Jadeja, 1 run, short and pulled to deep backward square leg
31.6 Boult to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 92/6 (30.3 overs)
30.3 Santner to Pandya, OUT, the slog sweep consumes another batsman! Mitch deserves a lot of praise for the way he has bowled today. Has given absolutely nothing away. Darts this full on middle, Hardik clears his front leg and goes for the almighty slog sweep, gets a top edge on it, and the Kiwi skipper takes an excellent catch as it had gone very high up
Pandya c Williamson b Santner 32(62)
Ind 92/5 (30 overs)
Jimmy Neesham is back now.
29.1 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, length ball wide of off, Hardik chops the drive to mid off
29.2 Neesham to Pandya, 1 run, short and wide, cut to sweeper cover
29.3 Neesham to Dhoni, DOT, full on the stumps, played to short mid wicket
29.4 Neesham to Dhoni, 2 runs, full and wide, MS drives it past a diving short cover, takes a couple
29.5 Neesham to Dhoni, 3 runs, length ball wide of off again, driven past short cover and deep extra cover does well to save one
29.6 Neesham to Pandya, 1 run.
Ind 85/5 (29 overs)
28.1 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, quick one full and outside off, played with fast hands to point
28.2 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, length now angled in on off, played to short cover
28.3 Santner to Dhoni, 2 runs, short and wide, MS cuts it well to deep backward point, takes two
28.4 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, comes well forward and plays it back
28.5 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, another similar position for a similar shot
28.6 Santner to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 83/5 (28 overs)
27.1 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT, pacy ball full on off, played to mid off
27.2 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT, length this time outside off, MS defends from the crease
27.3 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT, length ball well wide of off, no shot from the batsman
27.4 Ferguson to Dhoni, 1 run, short and MS rolls his wrists on the pull past leg gully
27.5 Ferguson to Pandya, DOT, short again, this time Hardik sways away from the line
27.6 Ferguson to Pandya, DOT.
Ind 82/5 (27 overs)
26.1 Santner to Pandya, DOT, flat on middle, defended on the front foot
26.2 Santner to Pandya, 1 run, full on leg, played to mid wicket
26.3 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, good ball, on a length, forces MS to go back and defend
26.4 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, darted in outside off, played to short cover
26.5 Santner to Dhoni, DOT, comes well forward and plays back to Mitch
26.6 Santner to Dhoni, 1 run.
Ind 80/5 (26 overs)
Lockie Ferguson is back.
25.1 Ferguson to Pandya, 2 runs, starts the second spell with a full one wide of off, Hardik shuffles across and flicks to deep mid wicket
25.2 Ferguson to Pandya, DOT, length outside off, played to backward point
25.3 Ferguson to Pandya, DOT, goes wide of the crease and angles it in on a length, defended solidly
25.4 Ferguson to Pandya, DOT, full on off, driven to short mid wicket
25.5 Ferguson to Pandya, 1 run, length ball straying on the pads, tucked to deep square leg
25.6 Ferguson to Dhoni, DOT.
Ind 75/5 (24 overs)
Yes, MS Dhoni is finally in at no.7.
23.1 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, full wide of off, driven to mid off
23.2 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, short and wide, cut well but point does well to leap up and stop it
23.3 Neesham to Pandya, 1 run, length on leg stump, turned to square leg
23.4 Neesham to Dhoni, DOT, length ball wide of off, MS lets it go through
23.5 Neesham to Dhoni, 1 run, full and wide, driven well past point for one
23.6 Neesham to Pandya, 2 runs.
Ind 71/5 (22.5 overs)
22.1 Santner to Pant, DOT, darts it in on off, Rish defends with a straight bat
22.2 Santner to Pant, DOT, length ball now, turned to short fine leg
22.3 Santner to Pant, DOT, drifting in on leg, comes forward to defend to mid wicket
22.4 Santner to Pant, DOT, flatter ball outside off, defended again
22.5 Santner to Pant, OUT, you knew this was coming. Left arm spinner bowling to a left hander, Rish fancied his chances, goes for the slog sweep and does not get the elevation and holes out to deep mid wicket. Can we see MS in now?
Pant c de Grandhomme bSantner 32(56)
Ind 71/4 (22 overs)
21.1 Neesham to Pant, DOT.
21.2 Neesham to Pant, DOT, full ball just outside off, the line is good enough for Rish to shoulder arms
21.3 Neesham to Pant, 1 run, length ball now, turned to square leg for a single
21.4 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, short and wide, he had shuffled across so did not have enough room to cut, does so anyway to backward point
21.5 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, length outside off now, he chops the punch
21.6 Neesham to Pandya, DOT.
Ind 70/4 (21 overs)
Mitch Santner to bowl left-arm spin now.
20.1 Santner to Pandya, DOT, starts full and Hardik pushes to cover
20.2 Santner to Pandya, DOT, darted full on middle, defended
20.3 Santner to Pandya, DOT, goes back now to defend awkwardly to point
20.4 Santner to Pandya, DOT, comes well forward, and gets an outside edge towards short third man
20.5 Santner to Pandya, DOT, this time he smothers the turn after coming forward
20.6 Santner to Pandya, DOT, starts with a maiden, good stuff!
Ind 70/4 (20 overs)
Change of bowling again, and it is Jimmy Neesham to bowl.
19.1 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, starts length on off, defended to cover point
19.2 Neesham to Pandya, DOT, full ball wide of off, defended again
19.3 Neesham to Pandya, 2 runs, goes short now, at his hips, pulled to deep backward square, and Hardik has to hurry to make it in on the second run
19.4 Neesham to Pandya, 1 run, softly tucked to square leg for one
Hardik massaged his groin after that tough two. This is a new headache for India now.
19.5 Neesham to Pant, DOT, full outside off, pushed to mid off
19.6 Neesham to Pant, WIDE, slipped out of his hands that, too wide and past the tramline
19.6 Neesham to Pant, FOUR, short and wide, he cuts hard, and gets an outside edge which runs away to the third man fence
Ind 62/4 (19 overs)
Hardik seems to have either a back or hamstring trouble, Patrick Farhart has given him a pain-killer I assume in between overs.
18.1 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, ooh close! Entices the drive with the length, Rish obliges but is beaten by pace
18.2 Ferguson to Pant, 2 runs, length on the stumps, he times the shot well and deep backward square does well to save two
18.3 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, short now, he rises with it and defends
18.4 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, comes round the wicket and delivers a low full toss, Rish misses out as he drives to mid on
18.5 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, back to over the wicket, bowls length angled across, he opens the bat face late to play to backward point
18.6 Ferguson to Pant, DOT.
Ind 60/4 (18 overs)
17.1 de Grandhomme to Pandya, DOT, short and wide, cut to point
17.2 de Grandhomme to Pandya, WIDE, full too far down leg
17.2 de Grandhomme to Pandya, 2 runs, length on leg, he shuffled across and tucked to deep square leg for two
17.3 de Grandhomme to Pandya, 2 runs, shuffles again, and softly flicks to square leg, runs well to take two more
17.4 de Grandhomme to Pandya, 2 runs, he has targeted the right bowler here. Length again, softly flicked again, this time to deep mid wicket
17.5 de Grandhomme to Pandya, 1 run, tucked to deep square leg now
17.6 de Grandhomme to Pant, 1 run.
Ind 51/4 (17 overs)
16.1 Ferguson to Pandya, 1 run, pulled and lands just wide of a backtracking mid wicket! Short ball at pace, he pulls but did not time it too well
16.2 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, short again, but Rish is smart enough to rise with it and drop it down near him
16.3 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, length ball on the stumps, pushed to mid on
16.4 Ferguson to Pant, WIDE, length ball but wrong line, down leg
16.4 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, full on leg stump, chipped a little but well wide and short of Lockie
16.5 Ferguson to Pant, 1 run, length ball straying on the pads, flicked to fine leg
16.6 Ferguson to Pandya, 1 run.
Ind 47/4 (16 overs)
Change of bowling after drinks and it will be the medium pace of Colin de Grandhomme.
15.1 de Grandhomme to Pant, 2 runs, starts with length on leg stump, flicked to deep square leg for a couple
15.2 de Grandhomme to Pant, DOT, length on off, defended to the off side
15.3 de Grandhomme to Pant, 1 run, superbly cut but Guptill at point has stopped it superbly to save three
15.4 de Grandhomme to Pandya, DOT, length ball wide off, Hardik drags his bat in to make the leave look awkward
15.5 de Grandhomme to Pandya, DOT, full outside off, he pushed too hard, chops it to cover
15.6 de Grandhomme to Pandya, 1 run.
Drinks break
So it will be drinks after 15 action-packed overs. The Kiwis are right on top at the moment mind you, but these two youngsters are not looking panicky which is a good sign
Take a look at the carnage by the Kiwi bowlers
Ind 42/4 (14 overs)
13.1 Henry to Pandya, WIDE, length ball angled too far across
13.1 Henry to Pandya, DOT, length ball straight and wide of off, he shoulders arms
13.2 Henry to Pandya, DOT, back of a length now, still outside off, punched to point
13.3 Henry to Pandya, FOUR, shot! Back of a length wide of off, he punches again, this time in the gap between point and cover point
13.4 Henry to Pandya, DOT, smart batting, gets another wide of off, and shoulders arms
13.5 Henry to Pandya, DOT, length again, defended to point
13.6 Henry to Pandya, DOT.
Ind 37/4 (13 overs)
Change of bowling and it is Lockie Ferguson, he has breathed fire all tournament.
12.1 Ferguson to Pant, 1 run, dropped! Would you believe it, it is Jimmy Neesham who just grabbed a blinder of Henry. Flicked straight to him, and he cannot hang on it. Hands on heads moment
12.2 Ferguson to Pandya, 1 run, drops the length ball near him, and runs over to the other side
12.3 Ferguson to Pant, DOT.
12.4 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, full and played to cover point
12.5 Ferguson to Pant, DOT, length ball angled across, defended on the back foot
12.6 Ferguson to Pant, DOT.
Ind 35/4 (12 overs)
By the way, first powerplay has ended, and that probably is the lowest score we have seen at the World Cup.
11.1 Henry to Pant, DOT, full and wide of off, he chops the drive to cover
11.2 Henry to Pant, FOUR, easy pickings! Short ball down the leg side, Rish swivels across and pulls to the fine leg fence
11.3 Henry to Pant, DOT, length ball cramping him for room, he arches back and punches but backward point does well
11.4 Henry to Pant, 1 run, almost a run out! He drove on the up on this full ball, Santner at extra cover stopped it with a dive, in the end Rish had to dive to make it in
11.5 Henry to Pandya, DOT, length wide of off, Hardik flirts with it before pulling his bat in
11.6 Henry to Pandya, DOT.
Ind 30/4 (11 overs)
This is baffling to understand. Even Sourav Ganguly on air cannot understand it. Hardik Pandya walks in at no.6
10.1 Boult to Pant, DOT, beats the bat! Tentative push from Rish on this length ball, not quite forward to play at it
10.2 Boult to Pant, DOT.
10.3 Boult to Pant, 1 run, driven down to mid off for one
10.4 Boult to Pandya, DOT, yorker outside off, Hardik leaves it alone
10.5 Boult to Pandya, DOT, full ball angled across now, he looks to drive but bails out at the last instant
10.6 Boult to Pandya, WIDE, down the leg side, and it evades the glance too
10.6 Boult to Pandya, FOUR, down leg again, this time Hardik connects with the glance and it runs away this time
Ind 24/4 (10 overs)
9.1 Henry to Pant, DOT, too straight a ball, played to mid wicket
9.2 Henry to Pant, FOUR, super shot! Length ball wide of off, he presses forward and gently drives it through the covers. The two keepers are getting the crowd going after a sedate opening phase
9.3 Henry to Pant, 1 run, the perfect back foot punch this time but backward point fields well, they take a single though
9.4 Henry to Karthik, DOT, length outside off to the right hander, DK defends from inside the crease
9.5 Henry to Karthik, DOT, another length ball wide of off, defended solidly
9.6 Henry to Karthik, OUT, gone! That's a brilliant catch at backward point! DK must have thought that is a certain boundary. Full wide of off, he drove well wide of that man but he dived to his left and took it one-handed inches from the ground. Wow!
Karthik c Neesham b Henry 6(25)
Ind 19/3 (9 overs)
8.1 Boult to Karthik, DOT, length on off stump line, defended after jumping up
8.2 Boult to Karthik, DOT, on leg stump line now, DK turns it away but there is enough protection at mid wicket and square leg
8.3 Boult to Karthik, DOT, full ball angled across, he shoulders arms. Has to get off strike, he has played 19 dot deliveries
8.4 Boult to Karthik, DOT, length outside off again, DK defends towards point
8.5 Boult to Karthik, FOUR, first runs for DK and it is a boundary! Length outside off again, he has seen it enough, opens the face to get it through gully for four
8.6 Boult to Karthik, 2 runs.
Ind 13/3 (8 overs)
7.1 Henry to Pant, DOT, length outside off, defended
7.2 Henry to Pant, DOT, length on the stumps now, defended to the leg side
7.3 Henry to Pant, WIDE, short ball, too high
7.3 Henry to Pant, 2 runs, full and wide, he leans forward and drives past point, takes a couple
7.4 Henry to Pant, DOT, Rish is looking solid here. Length on off again, he brings out a very compact defence
7.5 Henry to Pant, DOT, and he is not tempted by the full ball too. Shoulders arms to this one outside off
7.6 Henry to Pant, DOT.
There's a Jofra tweet for every occasion!
Ind 10/3 (7 overs)
6.1 Boult to Karthik, DOT, length outside off, coming in, DK has seen it enough to leave it well
6.2 Boult to Karthik, DOT, length on the body now, defended to the leg side
6.3 Boult to Karthik, DOT, this is good stuff from DK. Exactly what you expect from an experienced player. Full wide of off, left alone
6.4 Boult to Karthik, DOT, pacey and full on off, defended well
6.5 Boult to Karthik, DOT, goes short now, well directed, DK read it early, rose with it and dropped it beside him
6.6 Boult to Karthik, DOT, maiden over, good stuff from both batsman and bowler
Ind 10/3 (6 overs)
5.1 Henry to Pant, DOT, length ball on leg stump line, he defends
5.2 Henry to Pant, DOT, fuller outside off now, he comes forward to defend
5.3 Henry to Pant, DOT, length ball on off stump line, defended on the back foot
5.4 Henry to Pant, DOT, length wide of off, Rish comes forward and shoulders arms
5.5 Henry to Pant, FOUR, classy shot to get the first boundary! Low full toss outside off, he square drives beautifully, gets it past point
5.6 Henry to Pant, DOT.
Ind 6/3 (5 overs)
No Dhoni at no.5, Dinesh Karthik is sent out instead. That last over from Henry was a wicket maiden, the Kiwis are pumped up right now and rightly so!
4.1 Boult to Pant, 1 run, full on leg, driven wide of mid wicket for a single. He is off the mark.
4.2 Boult to Karthik, DOT, full ball angled across, DK sensibly shoulders arms. He has to be the calm, cool head here to the aggressive Pant
4.3 Boult to Karthik, DOT, length ball outside off, defended well to cover
4.4 Boult to Karthik, DOT, big shout and that seemed high. DK got a big stride forward, the ball swung in to hit the pads, but he quite far ahead
4.5 Boult to Karthik, DOT, full outside off now, left alone
4.6 Boult to Karthik, DOT.
Ind 5/3 (3.1 overs)
3.1 Henry to Rahul, OUT, holy moses that is another one! Suddenly the Kiwis are favourites, the game has turned on its head. Length ball outside off, there was no need to chase this, KL does anyway, gets the edge which is taken well by the keeper
Rahul c Latham b Henry 1(7)
Ind 5/2 (2.4 overs)
Virat Kohli walks in at no.3, and he'll have to anchor the chase today
2.1 Boult to Kohli, DOT, play and a miss! Full ball very wide of off, he chases after it and misses the drive
2.2 Boult to Kohli, DOT, full again outside off, this time he is much more forward and defends nicely with bat close to pad
2.3 Boult to Kohli, DOT, too straight now, Virat flicks, but to short mid wicket
2.4 Boult to Kohli, DOT, finger goes up! That looks close, and Virat has gone for the DRS. Length ball angled across, he shuffled across to flick, the ball swings in to hit the flap of the front pad. Wickets is umpire's call, and Kohli has to walks. The Kiwis are right back in this game now!
Kohli lbw b Boult 1(6)
Ind 4/1 (1.3 overs)
Matt Henry with the other new ball.
1.1 Henry to Rohit, DOT, good ball. Length on off, no room to work with, defended
1.2 Henry to Rohit, 2 leg byes, too straight now, glanced off the pads to fine leg for a couple
1.3 Henry to Rohit, OUT, gone! It is the big wicket of Rohit Sharma too, what a ball that is! Length on off, it jags away off the pitch, Rohit caught the edge despite not really pushing at it. Perfect start!
Rohit c Latham b Boult 1(4)
Ind 2/0 (1 over)
Rohit and Rahul punch gloves before stepping on the field, and their first task will be to negate the swing that Trent Boult will get. The conditions are perfect for his type of bowling, and Rohit's vulnerability against left-arm swing bowlers is well-known. But he is also in good form so...
0.1 Boult to Rahul, 1 run, off the mark right away! Full on off, KL blocks solidly to mid off, and he called very early to come through
0.2 Boult to Rohit, 1 run, he is off the mark too. Nice inswing for Trent on a length, tucked to fine leg
0.3 Boult to Rahul, DOT, goes back of a length angling across him, KL rises up and defends to point
0.4 Boult to Rahul, DOT, the ball is swinging in very nicely, this time it is on a length, and he misses the tuck to be hit above the hip
0.5 Boult to Rahul, DOT, that's the perfect line and length. Full outside off, but there is no swing here, left alone
0.6 Boult to Rahul, DOT.
NZ 239/8 (50 overs)
Trent Boult at no.10
49.1 Bumrah to Santner, 1 run, full toss and driven to long on. Mitch is angry with himself there, wanted to go bigger
49.2 Bumrah to Boult, DOT, full pace short ball, he tries to back away and pull, he dare not run because MS is ready with the gun throw
49.3 Bumrah to Boult, 2 runs, this time he backs away and pulls to wide long on, they take two!
49.4 Bumrah to Boult, 1 run, full on the stumps now, he backs away and hits to mid off
49.5 Bumrah to Santner, 2 runs, full on leg, driven very well but KL at mid off does very well to save two
49.6 Bumrah to Santner, 1 leg byes, looks to heave it away but gets it off the pads to short third man. 239 for NZ!
NZ 232/8 (49 overs)
Mitch Santner walks in at no.9
48.1 Bhuvneshwar to Latham, OUT, Jaddu again, this should come as no surprise! Tom gets a nice half volley and he nails the heave to deep mid wicket, Jaddu was manning it there, he was well inside the ropes to stop the double, he tracks back and takes it over his head. Super stuff!
Latham c Jadeja bBhuvneshwar 10(11)
Matt Henry walks in at no.10
48.2 Bhuvneshwar to Santner, 1 run.
48.3 Bhuvneshwar to Henry, 1 run, to sweeper
48.4 Bhuvneshwar to Santner,FOUR, great shot! Short and wide, he was sat back and nailed the punch drive through cover
48.5 Bhuvneshwar to Santner, 1 run.
48.6 Bhuvneshwar to Henry, OUT, another! Bhuvi bowls full and wide, he goes for the big heave, can only hole out to the skipper at deep mid wicket
Henry c Kohli bBhuvneshwar 1(2)
NZ 225/6 (48 overs)
47.1 Bumrah to Latham, 1 run, full toss looking for the yorker, driven to long on
47.2 Bumrah to Taylor, 2 runs, another full toss, Boom not quite there with his yorker, played to deep mid wicket
47.3 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run, slow ball wide of off, swept to deep square leg
47.4 Bumrah to Latham, 2 runs, shuffles right across and sccops the full ball to fine leg
47.5 Bumrah to Latham, 1 run, slow full ball, flicked to deep square leg, only one this time
47.6 Bumrah to Taylor, OUT, 1 run completed, it's that man Jaddu again! Ross flicked this to deep mid wicket, Jaddu swooped in and hit the bulls eye at the striker's end, the run-out was always on with both of them looking for two every ball
Taylor run-out (Jadeja) 74(90)
NZ 217/5 (47 overs)
So, Bhuvi was bowling to Ross Taylor when they walked off yesterday. Things will resume from that point onwards, and the Kiwis have 23 balls to muster up whatever they can- they should look for 240 atleast. Let the gamebegin!
46.2 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 1 run, starts off full wide of off, square driven to sweeper
46.3 Bhuvneshwar to Latham, DOT, yorker outside off, Tom cannot dig it out
46.4 Bhuvneshwar to Latham, 2 runs, yorker again, this time he flicks it to deep backward square for two
46.5 Bhuvneshwar to Latham, 1 run, another yorker, just about dug out and they run the quick single
46.6 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs.
This is the scene from Old Trafford half-an-hour ago!
I'm sure you have not forgotten but just in case
Play called off for today
So the inevitable has been officially confirmed. The rain had to show up at an inopportune game, after being away for more than two weeks. Another game fell victim to it, well not completely. The match will resume at the same stage it was abandoned today on- of course, that is hoping the rain permits.
India will be happy to come back tomorrow, because if they had to chase down 148 in 20 overs, it could really have been anybody's game. Both teams will be all refreshed and raring to go, and that bodes well for the sport too.
Do join us back tomorrow, till then, goodbye!
Finally!
This is getting sillier by the minute. There is no official decision by the umpires, we have 7 minutes to resume play for today, and I think the decision should be obvious, right? Do not know what they are waiting for, both teams will be rusty too
Final verdict for the day?
Virat, Sanjay Bangar and other support staff can be seen sitting in the dressing room, looking on keenly from the window. Williamson looks a bit pissed, even he is not happy about the see-saw that is going on here.
Umpires inspect the outfield
So the three umpires are put there right now, touching the outfield to check how wet the grass is, and if it is suitable at all to start play in 20-odd minutes
Might as well go to sleep guys!
Here you go!
Second inspection scheduled
So, the chatter is that the umpires will have an inspection at 18:10 local time, which is 22:40 IST. Will have to be the final call, because play has to necessarily start at 23:00 IST for a 20-over chase, target for which shall be 148 for India. We'll get you an official update very soon!
The rain finally relents!
Ok, so just when we were on the cusp of calling off play for today, the rain has stopped, and the covers have been peeled off, as the live visuals show.
The main pitch is still covered, there are a couple of puddles on the square, and mid wicket/sweeper is covered too. The umpires are out there inspecting, we should have an update soon
So the on air commentators reckon that the game has to restart at 18:35 local time, which is 23:00 IST, for a 20-over Indian chase.
For that to take place, the rain has to stop, actually the groundsmen have to start their drying efforts by 22:00 IST, as they feel it will easily take an hour to get the outfield match ready. And by the current look of things, that does not seem to be possible
So the NZ twitter handle has an interesting update (5pm UKT is 21:30 IST)
Match referee David Boon has come out to the balcony, and has a look at the ground. The rain has reduced to a light drizzle, with the groundsmen hard at work, trying to get water off the covers. We may have an update about an inspection time soon enough
Clouds clear a little
We may have some good news- the live visuals suggest that the clouds may be clearing up a bit, the sun has not yet peeked through though. It has still not yet stopped raining, so the covers cannot be taken off just yet
Some information for you people
Official clarification
So these are the words from the Cricket World Cup's official website-
"We have a bit of a buffer before losing any overs, but it's looking increasingly likely that when the players go back out it will be India batting.
A reminder of the reserve day rules, the umpires will do everything they can to complete the game today, exactly as if there were no reserve day, with a minimum of 20 overs per innings. If a game is unable to be completed today then play will resume tomorrow with the objective to get as full a game as possible."
Not too daunting, huh?
Overs will be lost starting 20:30 IST
Since there is a reserve day, the game will start losing overs two hours after stoppage of play. Rain came down at 18:30 IST, so we have 1 hour and 15 minutes to go before that. Let us hope it does not come to that
Watch this gritty innings by the Kiwi skipper as you wait
Pitch and square completely covered
So the live visuals show that the pitch and square arecompletely covered. The rain does not seem to be too high, but it has not stopped at all.
Reports state that all efforts will be made to finish the game today, the option of the reserve day will be taken up as a last resort.
Pouring down in Manchester
So the rain is showing no signs of letting up, and with rain predicted for atleast one more hour, chances of play restarting soon are bleak. The good news is that there is a reserve day tomorrow, so the Kiwi innings can be continued from this point, but let us hope it does not come to that
NZ 211/5 (46.1 overs)
46.1 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs, excellent work all around. By bowler and batsman, I mean. Bhuvi bowls an accurate yorker which is dug out to extra cover, the fielder does not pick it initially, Ross dives to make it in on the second run. Virat is very angry
And the umpires think that the rain is too much to continue. They have taken the bails off, and are asking the players to walk off. Covers coming on, and the Kiwis may be the happier side right now I think
NZ 209/5 (46 overs)
Tom Latham finally walks out today at no.7
45.1 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run, off cutter wide of off, he waits on it before steering to short third man
45.2 Bumrah to Latham, DOT, full on middle, flicked to short mid wicket
45.3 Bumrah to Latham, 1 run, short ball angled across, Tom pulls powerfully to deep square leg
45.4 Bumrah to Taylor, 3runs, full pace delivery, surprises Ross, who gets an outside edge to third man. Poor from India, and they get an overthrow. Virat is unhappy, KL is too, MS was guilty of not gathering the first throw. 3 runs!
45.5 Bumrah to Latham, 1 run.
45.6 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run.
NZ 200/5 (44.4 overs)
Bhuvi is back.
44.1 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, DOT, finger goes up! That seemed dead, unless there is an inside edge. Full on middle, Ross gets down low to paddle, was a long way across, and the impact is outside off. Very lucky Ross Taylor
Taylor had walked away after seeing the replay, and then came back in!
44.2 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs, driven to deep extra cover for a couple
44.3 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 1 run, full on off, driven to mid off and he crosses over. 200 up finally
44.4 Bhuvneshwar to de Grandhomme, OUT, no doubts this time! Short ball coming into the huge frame of Colin, he wanted to dab it down, it was angled in too much, catches the edge and MS snaffles it easily
de Grandhomme c Dhoni bBhuvneshwar 16(10)
NZ 197/4 (44 overs)
43.1 Chahal to Taylor, SIX, first big hit of the day! Full and flighted, and Ross slog sweeps this into deep mid wicket. 50 up for him!
43.2 Chahal to Taylor, 2 runs, flatter and full on leg, flicked to deep mid wicket for a couple
43.3 Chahal to Taylor, FOUR, these two have gone on the attack! Yorker on leg, he times the bunt really well and wide of Jaddu at long on
43.4 Chahal to Taylor, WIDE, too wide past the tramline
43.4 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, yorker again, on middle now, played back
43.5Chahal to Taylor, 1 leg byes, full on leg again, he misses the bunt this time, gets it off the boot
43.6 Chahal to de Grandhomme, FOUR, this is a big over! Short and wide and he is cut past point, Yuzi has conceded 63 off his 10 overs, and in the context of the game, these are poor figures
NZ 179/4 (43 overs)
Colin de Grandhomme is the new man in.
42.1 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, steered to third man
42.2 Pandya to de Grandhomme, 1 run, short ball at the throat, awkwardly fended to short third man
42.3 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, length ball wide of off, Ross chops the cut to third man
42.4 Pandya to de Grandhomme, DOT, short ball which always kept rising, Colin misses his upper cut despite hoppng a little
42.5 Pandya to de Grandhomme, FOUR, this is well played! Short ball wide of off, he guides this past third man, and backward point too. Not a cut neither a dab down, somewhere in between
42.6 Pandya to de Grandhomme, 2 runs.
NZ 162/4 (41 overs)
We are into the final powerplay and the Kiwis really have to go bonkers in the final 10 overs to even get to 250-260. India will be happy with this score so far, will want to not give too much away now. Pandya is back again.
40.1 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, slower length ball, dabbed to short third man
40.2 Pandya to Neesham, DOT, backs away way past leg stump, Hardik follows him with a short ball, in the end has no room to work with
40.3 Pandya to Neesham, 1 run, looks to help this length ball down leg away, gets it off the glove on the opposite side
40.4 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, great yorker on middle, dug out to the off side
40.5 Pandya to Neesham, FOUR, finally he connects one! Short at his hips, Jimmy pulls and pulls well, gets it to deep backward square ropes
40.6 Pandya to Neesham, OUT, gone! DK throws it away angrily after taking it, maybe had a bit of a miscommunication with Bhuvi at deep mid wicket. This is full on leg, following Jimmy as he backed away, he gets a leading edge on the flick, and it went all the way to long on
Neesham c Karthik b Pandya 12(18)
NZ 155/3 (40 overs)
Bumrah is back for some reason now.
39.1 Bumrah to Neesham, 1 run, angled across on back of a length, steered to third man
39.2 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run, quick short ball, pulled to deep square leg
39.3 Bumrah to Neesham, DOT, length ball cramping him for room, Jimmy plays with an open face to backward point
39.4 Bumrah to Neesham, DOT, short ball, he pulls well but short mid wicket is placed there to stop the shot
39.5 Bumrah to Neesham, 1 run, quick single! Yorker on off, dug out to short mid wicket, Virat throws it at the batter's end, does not hit though
39.6 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run.
NZ 151/3 (39 overs)
38.1 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 1 run, short and slow again, Ross rolls his wrists on the pull to square leg
38.2 Bhuvneshwar to Neesham, DOT, driven to mid on
38.3 Bhuvneshwar to Neesham, 1 run, the ball is sticking to the pitch definitely, this is fuller outside off, he mistimes the hoick to long on
38.4 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs, short ball, keeps low, and is pulled to deep mid wicket for a couple
38.5 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, DOT, slow ball again, outside off, and it kept low again, Ross misses his agricultural hoick
38.6 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs.
NZ 145/3 (38 overs)
Hardik Pandya is back as well.
37.1 Pandya to Neesham, DOT, slow short ball which stuck to the pitch, beats Jimmy all ends up
37.2 Pandya to Neesham, 1 run, fends the short ball to short third man and runs a quick single
37.3 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, short ball on leg stump line, pulled to deep square leg
37.4 Pandya to Neesham, 1 run, dropped at short mid wicket! Slow short ball again, Jimmy had no idea about it, gets a top edge which lobs to Rohit, and he just did not move there, in the end it went past his outstretched hand. Hardik is distraught
37.5 Pandya to Taylor, DOT, slow short ball again, he misses the pull
37.6 Pandya to Taylor, WIDE, too short this time
37.6 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run.
NZ 140/3 (37 overs)
Attacking stuff from New Zealand here, they have sent Jimmy Neesham ahead of Tom Latham at no.5. Bhuvi is back to bowl now.
36.1 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 1 run, length ball outside off, steered to third man
36.2 Bhuvneshwar to Neesham, DOT, length on off, cramping Jimmy for room, and he defends it late
36.3 Bhuvneshwar to Neesham, 1 run, taps this one to mid on, and takes a quick single
36.4Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, DOT, slow short ball and Ross misses his pull
36.5 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, DOT, length ball angled in, he defends down the pitch
36.6 Bhuvneshwar to Taylor, 2 runs.
NZ 134/3 (35.2 overs)
Chahal is back now.
35.1 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, googly on off, driven to point
35.2 Chahal to Williamson, OUT, and he strikes! Super stuff from Yuzi here. Knows Kane was wanting to get a move on, so flights this one well, dips it on off on a length, the Kiwi skipper had backed away to go inside out, the ball turned quickly to take his edge and lob up to backward point
Williamson c Jadeja b Chahal 67(95)
NZ 133/2 (35 overs)
34.1 Jadeja to Williamson, 3 runs, backs away and lofts this full ball to wide long off, Pant does very well at the boundary to stop it. Saves one
34.2 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, comes down to push this down the ground, Jaddu will not let anything get past him
34.3 Jadeja to Taylor, 1 run, darted in on middle, pushed to cover
34.4 Jadeja to Williamson, FOUR, this time he nails it! Gets it full and he slog sweeps well, finds the gap at deep mid wicket
34.5 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, MS has appealed here! Kane was beaten by the quick away turner, MS is as quick as ever to break the stumps. The back foot never left the crease so no harm done
34.6 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT.
Jaddu has finished off his quota with a superb return of 10-0-34-1
The despair!
NZ 125/2 (34 overs)
33.1 Bumrah to Williamson, 1 run, length ball angling in, easily glanced to fine leg
33.2 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT, quick length ball outside off, defended with fast hands to short mid wicket
33.3 Bumrah to Taylor, 1 run, back of a length outside off, Ross looks to pull, gets it off the glove towards short fine leg
33.4 Bumrah to Williamson, DOT, length now angling in, defended to short mid wicket
33.5 Bumrah to Williamson, DOT, short ball, not too much pace on it, Kane ducks nonetheless. MS may have been hurt a little while gathering it
33.6 Bumrah to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 122/2 (33 overs)
Jaddu is back too.
32.1 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run, starts full on leg, pushed to long off
32.2 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, good quick ball on middle, played down the wicket
32.3 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, short and cut to backward point
32.4 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, quick and darted in on middle, defended
32.5 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, looks to drive this one away, gets an outside edge towards short third man
32.6 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT.
That will be drinks as well
NZ 121/2 (32 overs)
Jasprit Bumrah is back and Kohli will want a wicket from him.
31.1 Bumrah to Williamson, 1 run, starts the second spell with length wide of off, steered to third man
31.2 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT, length again, closer to off this time, defended towards point
31.3 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT, almost a wicket here! It was the outside edge on the length ball, got the edge off the leg cutter, falls just in front of a diving MS
31.4 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT, length ball much closer to off, played with an angled bat to gully
31.5 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT, good pace on this fuller ball, angling in, turned to short mid wicket
31.6 Bumrah to Taylor, DOT.
NZ 120/2 (31 overs)
30.1 Pandya to Williamson, FOUR, very lucky! Looks to pull the short ball, gets a fat top edge which runs away over MS and into the fence
30.2 Pandya to Williamson, 1 run, tucked to square leg
30.3 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, another top edge on the slow short ball, lands safely at square leg. 50 partnership up!
30.4 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, full on off, driven to mid off
30.5 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, back of a length and it is punched on the jump
30.6 Pandya to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 113/2 (30 overs)
29.1 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, full outside off, driven to long off
29.2 Chahal to Taylor, WIDE, drifting down leg, MS appealed, he thought there was some bat on that
29.2 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, short and wide, cut to deep point
29.3 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, pushes it to long on and brings up yet another fifty. Great rearguard innings so far, but he needs much, much more to put a big score on the board
29.4 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, played back to Yuzi
29.5 Chahal to Taylor, FOUR, full on leg, poor ball, Ross gets down and sweeps this past backward square leg
29.6 Chahal to Taylor, DOT.
From one classy batsman to another!
NZ 99/2 (28 overs)
27.1 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, quick length ball outside off, pushed past short cover for one
27.2 Chahal to Williamson, DOT.
27.3 Chahal to Williamson, FOUR, good shot! Boundary after a while and Kane wants to get a move on now. Tossed up outside off, he slog sweeps this to deep mid wicket
27.4 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, full on off, played to point
27.5 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, pushed down to long on
27.6 Chahal to Taylor, FOUR, surprised him there! Ross backed away to cut, was a googly dropped short, he gets a thick outside edge to the third man fence
NZ 89/2 (27 overs)
My god, Jaddu and Yuzi have run through their overs here. Its been 8 overs since the Nicholls wicket already! Pandya is back to bowl now, for some pace respite for the Kiwis
26.1 Pandya to Williamson, 1 run, too straight to start, glanced to fine leg
26.2 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, length on off, and tucked to square leg
26.3 Pandya to Williamson, 1 run, looks to dab it down, gets an inside edge to square leg Kane
26.4 Pandya to Taylor, 1 run, short ball wide of off, pulled to deep square leg
26.5 Pandya to Williamson, DOT.
26.6 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, short ball to finish
NZ 85/2 (26 overs)
25.1 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, huge shout! Beautifully bowled googly, Ross misread it completely, is struck on the pad and that was super close. Only if India had a review
25.2 Chahal to Taylor, DOT.
25.3 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, defended and the skipper set off, just about makes it in but would have been out with a direct hit
25.4 Chahal to Williamson, DOT.
25.5 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, pushed back to Yuzi
25.6 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 83/2 (25 overs)
24.1 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT.
24.2 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, quicker on leg, defended
24.3 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, another one quicker on middle, defended again
24.4 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, comes on the front foot to defend again
24.5 Jadeja to Taylor, 1 run, pushes this one finally, down to long on
24.6 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 82/2 (24 overs)
Good news- Pandya is back on the field!
23.1 Chahal to Taylor, DOT.
23.2 Chahal to Taylor, DOT.
23.3 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, pushes this one to long off
23.4 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, short and wide, cut to sweeper cover
23.5 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, defended on the back foot
23.6 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run.
NZ 78/2 (22 overs)
21.1 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, drifted in on middle, defended on the front foot
21.2 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, full on leg, played to short mid wicket
21.3 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, flighted on off, he comes forward and pushes to mid off
21.4 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, beats him! Leg spinner outside off, spins away sharply again and well past the bat
21.5 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, quick turn again, pushed to point for one
21.6 Chahal to Williamson, 2 leg byes
NZ 74/2 (21 overs)
20.1 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, full and driven to cover point
20.2 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, another one to cover point now
20.3 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, length on off now, punched to cover
20.4 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run, full on middle, driven down to long off
20.5 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT, darted in quick on middle, defended
20.6 Jadeja to Taylor, DOT.
NZ 73/2 (20 overs)
Ross Taylor in at no.4 and India would love to get him early here.
19.1 Chahal to Taylor, WIDE, slides this down leg side
19.1 Chahal to Taylor, DOT, better, length on off, defended on the front foot
19.2 Chahal to Taylor, 1 run, tossed up on middle, he backs away and drives to long off
19.3 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, leg spinner on off, spun away well, Kane goes back to defend
19.4 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, jaffa! Leg spinner outside off, he comes forward to smother it and it spun away sharply past the bat
19.5 Chahal to Williamson, DOT.
19.6 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 69/2 (18.2 overs)
18.1 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT.
18.2 Jadeja to Nicholls, OUT, bowled him! It is an absolute beauty and it is a classic Jaddu delivery. Lands it on a length, and gets it to turn in, there is not much of a gap between bat and pad, but he has found it, and disturbs the middle stump
Nicholls b Jadeja 28(51)
NZ 69/1 (18 overs)
Forced bowling change and Yuzi Chahal is onto bowl for the first time today. Mayank Agarwal is on the field for Pandya
17.1 Chahal to Nicholls, FOUR WIDES, poor start! Throws it wide down leg, Henry misses the glance, and MS misses the gather
17.1 Chahal to Nicholls, 1 run, comes down now, yorks himself and works it to long on
17.2 Chahal to Williamson, DOT, full on leg, driven to short mid wicket
17.3 Chahal to Williamson, 1 run, tossed up nicely on leg, driven to long on
17.4 Chahal to Nicholls, DOT, tough chance dropped! Henry comes down and hammers it down the ground, it was actually a bump ball, Yuzi deflects it past Kane
17.5 Chahal to Nicholls, DOT.
17.6 Chahal to Nicholls, 1 run.
NZ 61/1 (17 overs)
After that over, Pandya had a little laugh with Kohli, who asked him to go off the field and have his hip looked at it. This could be a huge blow for India, because they do not have a sixth bowler today.
16.1 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT.
16.2 Jadeja to Williamson, 3 runs, well done by Bhuvi at wide long off. This was driven very well, but he covered a lot of ground and saved one
16.3 Jadeja to Nicholls, 1 run, he has done this well, gets low and times the paddle to fine leg
16.4 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, short and punched to extra cover
16.5 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, looks to dab it down now, first slip does well to stop it
16.6 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 57/1 (16 overs)
15.1 Pandya to Nicholls, WIDE, too short, sails over his head
15.1 Pandya to Nicholls, WIDE, another one. Short ball wide of off, he looks to cut after jumping up, misses
15.1 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, length on off, angled across, defended to mid on
15.2 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, leans forward and defends the length ball to short cover, Virat picks and throws at the bowler's end, but the skipper was well in
15.3 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, short on off, cramped for room Henry, and so can only cut to point
15.4 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, almost a run-out! Jaddu has his heads on his head. This was cut past backward point, he never lets anything past him, dives, stops and throws after taking his time, misses the bulls eye though. Henry was in too, so no issues there
Hardik seems to have an issue with his hip, comes off his run-up too
15.5 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, length angled across, punched straight back
15.6 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 55/1 (15 overs)
So there was a late decision to take drinks after the last over. New Zealand are clawing their way back into this after the early wicket, but India will not be too worried. They need one more wicket to expose the middle order, and will turn to someone like Chahal soon enough, I guess. Jaddu to continue for now.
14.1 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT, length ball spinning in from outside off, turned to square leg
14.2 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT, goes back now to work it to square leg, who fields well
14.3 Jadeja to Nicholls, 1 run, paddled well to short fine leg
14.4 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run, full outside off, easily pushed down to long off
14.5 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT, length and punched to short mid wicket
14.6 Jadeja to Nicholls, 1 run.
NZ 52/1 (14 overs)
13.1 Pandya to Williamson, 1 run, overpitched outside off, and he square drives to deep point
13.2 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, first short ball by Hardik, good pace too, Henry is too late on the pull shot
13.3 Pandya to Nicholls, 2 runs, length wide of off, steered wide of third man, and they come back for two. The duo has run well today
13.4 Pandya to Nicholls, 1 run, slower short ball this time, pulled to fine leg
13.5 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, length on off, Kane steers it ever so well but wide slip is well placed to stop it
13.6 Pandya to Williamson, FOUR, poor from third man, Chahal it was there. This was punched well past gully, and should have been two, Chahal sloppily allows two more. 50 partnership up!
NZ 44/1 (13 overs)
12.1 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT, half shout again, length on off, he misses his tuck
12.2 Jadeja to Nicholls, 2 runs, gets low and paddles this fine to fine leg, takes two
12.3 Jadeja to Nicholls, 1 run, comes down and flicks this to deep mid wicket
12.4 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT, slip is in for Kane, Jaddu bowls full, and is defended to mid off
12.5 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run, short and wide, cut in front of point
12.6 Jadeja to Nicholls, 2 runs.
NZ 38/1 (12 overs)
11.1 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, length outside off, Kane misses his punch and is angry with himself there
11.2 Pandya to Williamson, DOT.
11.3 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, fuller outside off, he is as compact as ever in defence
11.4 Pandya to Williamson, FOUR, secondone for the skipper! Not a very good ball, short below his hips, easily pulled to deep mid wicket
11.5 Pandya to Williamson, DOT, now goes full wide of off, Kane leaves it alone
11.6 Pandya to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 34/1 (11 overs)
Another change after end of first powerplay and Jaddu is into the attack.
10.1 Jadeja to Williamson, DOT.
10.2 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run, full outside off, driven to sweeper cover
10.3 Jadeja to Nicholls, DOT, comes over the wicket, and bowls length, spinning it in, but it was going down leg
10.4 Jadeja to Nicholls, FOUR, confident shot that! Full outside off, he got down low, and swept it past leg slip
10.5 Jadeja to Nicholls, 1 run.
10.6 Jadeja to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 27/1 (10 overs)
Change in bowling and it will be Hardik Pandya for the final over of the powerplay.
9.1 Pandya to Williamson, 2runs, startswith length ball angling in, tucked to fine leg, and they run well for a couple
9.2 Pandya to Williamson, 1 leg byes, too straight again, glanced to fine leg, Henry wanted the second, but his skipper sent him back in time
9.3 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, good line and length, angled across on off, defended down the wicket
9.4 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, taps the length ball to point, and looks to run, but his skipper wants nothing to do with it
9.5 Pandya to Nicholls, WIDE, first extra of the day, sent down leg
9.5 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT, slower length ball on off, defended
9.6 Pandya to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 23/1 (9 overs)
8.1 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, length outside off, kept a bit low, and Kane chops the cut
So the short point is back, with a fourth slip too. Lot of close in fielders on the off side
8.2 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, FOUR, super shot! Too straight from Bhuvi, and the Kiwi skipper punches beautifully down the ground and leaves no chance for a chasing mid on
8.3 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, better line, length outside off, he defends right under his eyes
8.4 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, length ball again, coming in a bit, defended to mid wicket
8.5 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, length just outside off, no room to work with for the punch/cut, defended to cover
8.6 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 18/1 (8 overs)
7.1 Bumrah to Nicholls, 1 run, signs of nerves! Wants to break the shackles now, gets a short one, looks to pull, gets a top edge to square leg
7.2 Bumrah to Williamson, 1 run, no more short point or wide slip, so Kane decides to steer it down to third man
7.3 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, almost another! Slight inside edge on the defence, and Virat dives forward at second slip but it falls short of him
7.4 Bumrah to Nicholls, 2runs, back of a length on leg, tucked to mid on for a convincing double
7.5 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, ooh close! Comes round the wicket now, bowls length on off, gets it to move away off the pitch and past Henry's cut
7.6 Bumrah to Nicholls, FOUR, first boundary and it is a terrific shot! Should put him at ease this. Full outside off, he leans forward and nails the drive past mid off and extra cover
NZ 10/1 (7 overs)
6.1 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, length outside off, punched to backward point
6.2Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, 2 runs, this time he finds the gap past point with the punch, Jaddu of all people misfields a bit and allows the second
6.3 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT.
6.4 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, now he redeems himself Jaddu! Dives to his left at backward point to stop a strong punch from Kane
6.5 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT, fuller outside off, left alone
Virat has placed himself at short point here, with Jaddu at backward point. Wants to stifle the punch, and it is also a catching position for a leading edge
6.6Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 8/1 (6 overs)
5.1 Bumrah to Williamson, DOT, this is the difference between Kane and Martin. The exact one was bowled to the latter, but Kane jumps up and punches to point. Difference in form very apparent
5.2 Bumrah to Williamson, DOT, full outside off, comes in off the pitch, but easy leave for the Kiwi skipper
5.3 Bumrah to Williamson, 1 run, full on his pads, flicked softly to mid wicket, and he gets off strike
5.4 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, back of a length now, angled across, Henry defends on the back foot
5.5 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, on the money again, length ball on off, defended solidly too
5.6 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT.
An early summary from our on-ground reporter
India have done exceedingly well after losing the toss. In overcast conditions, their new-ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have exhibited some quality seam and swing bowling. They did their review off the first ball of the innings but since then they have kept a tight leach on the Kiwi batsmen. Both pacers have got the ball to shape in and away, putting the NZ batsmen in doubt. Guptill, who had survived an lbw appeal, looked iffy throughout and Bumrah put an end to his misery with a lifter which the right-hander wanted to drive through cover but could only manage thick edge to second slip where Kohli did well to hold on to a sharp catch. It’s been cloudy all morning and the artificial lights are one to augment the deficiency in natural light. NZ 7/1 after five overs.
NZ 7/1 (5 overs)
Kane Williamson in at no.3, super early yet again. Some issues with the sightscreen as Hardik Pandya sorts it out.
4.1 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, 1 run, length ball coming in, worked to fine leg for one
4.2Bhuvneshwar to Nicholls, DOT, length outside off, defended solidly
4.3Bhuvneshwar to Nicholls, DOT, perfect good length delivery, no room whatsoever, defended towards mid on
4.4 Bhuvneshwar to Nicholls, 1 run, almost a double collision! Henry dropped this to short cover and ran, Kane almost into Bhuvi who tried to field, who then almost clattered into KL, who ran in from cover
4.5 Bhuvneshwar to Williamson, 1 run, fuller ball outside off, and he dabs to third man despite the presence of two slips
4.6 Bhuvneshwar to Nicholls, 2 runs.
NZ 1/1 (3.3 overs)
3.1 Bumrah to Guptill, DOT, jaffa! Length ball outside off, came back in a long way, well left or wrongly judged? Maybe the former
3.2 Bumrah to Guptill, DOT, length ball angling in, this time he goes back and defends to the off side
3.3 Bumrah to Guptill, OUT, there's the wicket! Super stuff from Bumrah and Kohli too. Length ball angling in again, this time it moved away though, Martin poked at it, got an outside edge which flew and Virat at second slip took it over his head. Picture perfect!
Guptill c Kohli b Bumrah 1(14)
NZ 1/0 (3 overs)
2.1 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, length ball swinging in off the pitch, defended nicely on the front foot
2.2 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, still no runs. Full outside off, defended to cover this time
2.3 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, super stuff from both batsman and bowler. Length on the stumps, he punched down the ground, Bhuvi stopped it in his follow through
2.4 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, and still nothing. Length ball angled in, flicked to mid wicket
2.5 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, 1 run, first runs on the board! Length again, Martin goes backand tucks to square leg to get himself and the Kiwis off the mark
2.6 Bhuvneshwar to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 0/0 (2 overs)
Jasprit Bumrah with the other new ball.
1.1 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, on the money already. Full on off, swinging away, he shoulders arms
1.2 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, almost an edge! Length on off, angled across, moves away further, and beats the edge
1.3 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, finally he gets some bat on the defence, goes to point, they don't risk the quick single
1.4 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, good defence, gets forward nicely and defends it close to the pad
1.5 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, length ball angled across, defended on the back foot
1.6 Bumrah to Nicholls, DOT, it is a double maiden! Terrific from both the new ball bowlers
NZ 0/0 (1 over)
Guptill and Nicholls are the Kiwi openers once again, and they have not fired at all this tournament. They are the best chance of early wickets for India, and Bhuvi will look to do exactly that with the new ball in hand. Here we go!
0.1 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, big, huge shout first up and Virat goes for the DRS! The entire team was huddling around, and he went for it with 5 seconds left. This seems to be going down, or may just clip the stumps. And it is just missing leg stump! India lose the review first ball then.
0.2 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, straight length ball on the stumps, defended with a straight bat
0.3 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, good crunching drive, but straight to mid off
0.4 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, another half-shout, but this time he had a great stride forward and hit the flap of the pad too
0.5 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, oh beauty! This has been a super start from Bhuvi. Length ball outside off and swung away nicely from the hung out bat
0.6 Bhuvneshwar to Guptill, DOT, maiden to start!
Teams walk out for the national anthems!
New Zealand's national anthem is played first, followed by that of India
Team News
India XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
NZ win toss; to bat first
Williamson calls it right and he will have a bat first. Says they have played a lot of games at Manchester so they know the pitch, and it is a true surface. Ferguson is back in the team for Southee.
Kohli would have wanted to bat first as well, says he does not really mind bowling first, because the dew maybe more later on and the pitch may stay the same. Chahal is back in the team in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
Skipper ready!
A thrilling first knockout game beckons
So the top four ended up being what most of us expected it to be. The big four all made it through, and the first semi-final is upon us today. India face off against New Zealand, and while the latter comes into the clash with three heavy losses, they are not a team to be taken lightly.
India under Kohli have been ultra-aggressive in their approach, and one can reasonably expect the side to not think this is an easy match-up. Recent history suggests that the Kiwi pacers have had the number of the Indian top-order and that being the team's greatest strength, could pose a major cause of concern.
For New Zealand, skipper Kane Williamson has a number of headaches to sort out. His openers are fragile, his middle order does not inspire much confidence and his spinners have been only partly effective. Expect to see some changes today.
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